Blue-chip MNCs: Holding Their Own ; The booming infrastructure and manufacturing sectors have helped these multinationals maintain their impressive standing.

Tll not very long ago, multinationals were considered the eliteamong companies in India: They paid the best salaries, posted thebiggest profits and their scrips were the darlings of the stockmarkets. But with the unfurling of the India growth story over thepast decade or so, most of them have been overtaken by their home-grown counterparts that have wowed the world by their scorchinggrowth and expansion and creation of phenomenal wealth for theirpromoters and shareholders in just a few years. It would appear theMNCs have missed the bus altogether. But that's not quite true. Someof them like ABB and Siemens that are engaged across theinfrastructure space have managed to hold …

Meg Cranston

MEG CRANSTON

LEO KOENIG

"Magical Death," Meg Cranston's most recent show, presented five portraits of the artist as a pinata. Papier-mache mockups of the artist herself, "dressed" in colored-tissue outfits-striped pants, red shorts, shod in boots or adorned with an elaborate headdress-hung from the ceiling in a variety of poses. Fabricated by Cranston with the help of her art students, the pieces represented a semi-sincere attempt to portray her physically, as well as a direct send-up of the cult of the artist.

With Kippenbergeresque energy and wit, Cranston has been investigating aspects of body and soul for several years. Recent shows have featured drawings and …

Freed Lebanese prisoners welcomed in Beirut

Five Lebanese prisoners freed by Israel have flown into Beirut airport for an official welcome by the president and his government.

Lebanon's president, prime minister and members of major political factions including Hezbollah's rivals were on hand in a show of unity and opposition to Israel.

The five militants stood in battle fatigues on a stand as the president addressed them as "the freed heroes."

They were released in a swap earlier Wednesday for the bodies of two slain Israeli soldiers.

Among the prisoners released was Samir Kantar, who was convicted of one of the grisliest attacks in Israeli history.

THIS IS A …

Hurricane boys reach region final

DAILY MAIL SPORTS

After leading by only six at halftime, Hurricane came out of thelocker room and took charge with a 22-11 third quarter on the way toa 56-42 win over Point Pleasant in the Class AAA Region 8, Section 1final Friday at Point Pleasant. Wes Spradlin led the way with 15points and Mike Brown added 13 for the Redskins (15-8), who now moveon to face Cabell Midland for the regional title on Tuesday.

Joey Loomis had 11 points to pace the Big Blacks.

In other boys Class AAA sectional matchups:

Ripley 58, Roane County 46 - The Vikings were able to pull awayfrom the pesky Raiders down the stretch to capture Region 6, Section1 championship.

"We …

A technology of hope

To toss a baseball, write a letter or pick a flower are simplemovements the able-bodied take for granted.

Yet for quadriplegics, being able to accomplish these acts wouldradically change their day-to-day lives. Miraculously, NeuroControlCorp., a company formed by researchers at Case Western ReserveUniversity, has developed an electronic hand that can make what wasonce an unthinkable task a possibility. The Freehand, the world'sfirst surgical …

Japan eases ban on weapons exports

TOKYO (AP) — Japan on Tuesday announced a decision to ease its decades-long weapons export ban in a bid to lower purchase and production costs and take part in arms-development projects with other countries.

For a nation with a war-renouncing constitution written after World War II, lifting the ban is a sensitive issue, especially in Asia, where neighboring countries suffered under Japan's wartime aggression.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said Japan maintains its pacifist principles prohibiting export of Japanese-made weapons for use in global conflicts.

He said that the new rules, approved by the government's security council, will allow Japan to participate in …

Ala. congressman in battle after switch to GOP

You would think U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith's decision to switch to the Republican Party would endear him with the GOP. Instead, he finds himself in a three-way primary, being branded a "flip-flopper," and continues to battle lingering hard feelings over his win two years ago that left the coveted seat in Democratic control.

Next Tuesday's primary will be the first real test as to whether the party switch bothers voters as much as it has seemed to rankle north Alabama GOP leaders who doubt his motives for switching parties.

"Asking voters to send me back as a Republican is not a hard ask for me," Griffith …